Lifting support thread!

[Work2live]

Thought I’d start this thread as a few people thought it’d be a good idea.

It might be a nice place to support each other and talk about lifting in general, ask for tips and advice on workouts, how to get enough protein etc.

All levels very much welcome, from complete newbies to those who’ve been weightlifting for years! 💪🏼

I bought a gorgeous Good Move t-shirt a few weeks ago - plain black, £15 in a lovely soft fabric. I’ve barely taken it off!

All very inspiring in here.

need to catch up properly, and partake more!

first gym session after holiday yesterday. Went at 6:30am and was busy. Needs to be either a tad earlier or post 8:30. Couldn’t get a squat rack so by the time one was available I’d worked my legs too hard to squat some more 🤣

Hi @Xmasfairy86!

It’s horrible when you can’t do the workout you’d planned! The end of your workout definitely isn’t the time to do squats 😩😂

I’m feeling really strong at the moment, definitely think a daily dose of creatine is helping!

I managed an underhand grip pull up the other day - it was only one, and it wasn’t very pretty, but I got my chin over the bar!

I am, however, falling off the wagon with my eating somewhat. I’m still stressed with work at the moment and I’m definitely a comfort eater! I’m not eating anywhere near as much shite as I used to 😂 but could certainly reign it in a bit.

Yayyyy @Work2live, - first chin up - fantastic!

@Work2live amazing about the pull up!!! It’s my dream to be able to do one by the end of the year🤩 Well done!!!

Thanks @GoTheFcukToSleep! I was originally hoping to be able to do one by the end of the year… maybe you’ll do one sooner than you think too! 🤞🏼

@Work2live I’m still stuck on -14kg on the assisted pull up machine but I’ve come a long way already and am making progress with other upper body exercises too so who knows😁😁😁 I get excited when other people manage it, it gives me hope for me😁

I get excited when other people manage it, it gives me hope for me

I feel exactly the same! Seeing other people progress and be able to do something they couldn’t do a few weeks ago is amazing - I think it’s a much healthier way to compare yourself to people too. Not in a “why can’t I do that?” way, but more in a “if they can do it, so can I!” way.

Me too. Love it.

And progress isn't linear, and we focus on different things at different times. I've been neglecting pull ups so going to do a few weeks on them.

Awesome @Work2live . Pull ups are v cool 😎 . Maybe I'll try the creatine too!

First day back after holiday for me, was great to be back. And things were just a bit harder rather than impossible so I don't think I've lost any significant strength.

And I agree re working on different things, fluctuations and getting inspiration from others. I see lots of female gym content on tiktok and that's very much the vibe there.

I also see male content like that too of course. But also some more bravado stuff when it sneaks through the algorithm

Ooof first day back from holiday, well done @RayKray!

I think it’s not usually too bad if you haven’t had too long out of the gym, you can usually pick up where you left off but yes it can definitely feel a bit more tiring than usual as your body gets used to it again!

I go on holiday in October for a week and I’m very much looking forward to just giving my body 7 full days of rest (apart from loads of walking probably)!

Hello. I've been reading this thread for a while and thought I should join in and introduce myself. I've found it very motivating and various questions have been answered.

I've come back to lifting in the last few months after several years off (work/Covid etc.)

I am gradually working back up to where I once was but I'm older and (even) fatter with lots of niggly injuries and poorer mobility.

I've recently been using Strength level to log workouts (when I remember) and find it quite useful.

One thing I am finding strange is how some lifts are progressing so much faster than others - I have regained my Bench Press at 50kg but am really struggling with progressing Back squat beyond 60kg.

Welcome @willingtolearn! So glad you’ve been following and finding this thread useful!

It’s funny isn’t it, I’m exactly the same. I think we’re all built differently and all have certain lifts we’ll always be naturally better at (or we just enjoy them more and therefore put more effort in).

I love benching and it’s always been one of my best lifts. I’m awful at deadlifts and overhead press though - no matter how much I do them I can never increase my weights that quickly.

Have you been working with a coach or PT? Perhaps they could give you some advice on your squats?

A couple of suggestions:

— Doing different types of squats might help - front squats, split squats, or even adding a pause at the bottom of the squat. You could also try doing some drop sets.

— Make sure your mobility’s as good as it can be - there are loads of squat mobility tutorials on YouTube, but good ankle mobility is important. You can even raise your heels slightly to get some artificial range of motion.

I don't really bench, but I squat & deadlift - and I find deadlifting a lot of weight so much easier than squatting a lot of weight - I haven't got to body weight in my back squats yet whereas I'm at 140% of my body weight in my 1 rep max deadlift.

And yet the squat movement feels very natural to me (I can squat very deep - "ass to grass"), while I have to really keep my brain in gear re the hinge and the knee bend, and shoulders down & back, and chest & head up, in a deadlift.

Go figure ...

Woohoo @Work2live , that’s amazing! Inspiring too, I’m struggling to get up high even with using a band to stand on, but I’ll keep at it!

Welcome, @willingtolearn. I dunno - I have found sometimes if I give a move a rest, I come back at it stronger - maybe some of it is psychological for me. And sometimes you see fast progress at the start (I do calisthenics and that is often true for a new skill, but then as you focus on reps and increasing range or whatever, progress can stall).

Thanks to all for your welcome, advice and suggestions.

I have done some work with a PT but focused on developing a new lift - ankle mobility was suggested as something I need to work on, which I think is slowly improving.

I am currently trying to switch it up a bit - doing front squats and leg press instead for a few weeks before I go back to it.

It's nice to hear that it's not unusual to have lifts you like and some that just aren't your thing.

An unassisted pull up is a long term goal but I am heavy so it's a long way away - am currently at -31kg assisted.

I look forward to chatting to you all more.

@willingtolearn wow, 50kg bench press! That is amazing!
I struggle with the squats too, I’ve lowered the weights I’m using to try and perfect my form first and which seems to be helping.

I tried a push up today as well thinking I might manage a “proper one” after my recent bench press successes, but I still can’t do it😂 Again, hoping to be able to do one by the end of the year…

@GoTheFcukToSleep ,you will get there! Have you tried negatives? Lower yourself really slowly to the floor, perhaps a couple of pauses at different points, then back up however you like. Also, hands raised on successively lower steps. I have found that to get a move, I need to drill that move (as well as everything else). Apologies if you are already doing those things!

Thanks @MsMartini I just tried lowering myself slowly! My toddler was very confused😂😂😂

😂way to go, @GoTheFcukToSleep

I started my push ups on a bench, then moved to a step, then to the floor. Good luck!

Yes negatives and push-ups from bench/ bar. You will get there!

Squats are my nemesis too. I’ve been focusing really hard on mobility the past few weeks and it’s made a massive difference. Got up to a PB of 75% body weight today while I know isn’t much but I am well chuffed 😁